It IS cheaper to replace the radio. With the influx of all the new electronics for music, car stereo systems pricing is at an all time low.
Mine went out, went to an auto stereo system repair/install place and they wanted hundreds of dollars. These shops are a dying breed so they want to get as much as they can out each customer.
Believe it or not Walmart has a 'huge' selection of brand name auto radios. For what the repair shop wanted $300 dollars for I found an even higher end brand radio at Walmart for 80 bucks. Comes with all kinds of extra bells and whistles and works great and has been for 10 years now.:C
Once you get the frame off the dash its real easy to replace and the instructions that come with the radio are real easy to follow and it comes with extra parts/wiring to fit different set ups.